Razer has ventured into the smart eyewear market with the Anzu smart glasses, marking its entry into a niche that blends audio technology with everyday wear. These glasses come with built-in speakers, allowing users to enjoy music, podcasts, and calls without isolating themselves from their surroundings. Competing against established brands like Bose and Amazon, the Anzu aims to offer unique features tailored for gaming and multimedia consumption. With an attractive price point—$50 less than both the Bose Frames and Amazon Echo Frames—the Razer Anzu is positioned as a more accessible option for those looking for smart audio glasses.
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Design and Comfort
At first glance, the Razer Anzu shares a similar aesthetic with the Amazon Echo Frames, particularly in its rounded rectangle lens design. However, upon closer inspection, distinct differences become apparent. The Anzu’s larger speaker modules on the arms contribute to a bulkier profile, which may hinder all-day comfort for some users. The glasses are available in two designs: rectangular and round, catering to varied personal preferences. Razer also provides an option for larger sizes, a notable advantage over the Echo Frames, which offers a more limited range.
The Anzu’s arms feature spring hinges that allow for better accommodation of different head sizes, making them less prone to breakage. Although the glasses are rated IPX4 for water resistance—meaning they can withstand splashes of water—they may not be suitable for rigorous outdoor activities. While the Anzu fits comfortably for short durations, prolonged wear can lead to discomfort, particularly due to the chunky arms that some users have described as clamping down on the temples.
Setup and Controls
Setting up the Razer Anzu involves two straightforward options: pairing via Bluetooth or using the Razer mobile app. The Bluetooth setup is quick and hassle-free, requiring users to unfold the arms to power on the glasses and trigger pairing mode. Once connected, however, switching devices requires manual disconnection through the Bluetooth settings, which may be inconvenient for those who frequently switch between devices.
Using the Razer app provides a more integrated experience, allowing users to customize gesture controls and access additional features. However, the app has been criticized for not automatically routing audio to the glasses, necessitating a manual connection each time. The gesture controls are one of the more ambitious features of the Anzu, but they have received mixed reviews. The glasses are intended to recognize a variety of gestures, such as single presses, double taps, and long presses, but many users found the recognition inconsistent. A single press must be slow and deliberate, while double and triple taps require precise timing; otherwise, they may not register at all. Frustratingly, users often found the glasses responding to accidental touches, leading to unexpected audio playback.
When the gestures do work as intended, they provide convenient control over playback, including skipping tracks and accessing voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa. However, the lack of volume control directly from the glasses is a significant oversight, forcing users to adjust the volume through their connected devices instead.
Gaming Features
One of the standout features of the Razer Anzu is its “Game Mode,” designed to reduce audio latency during gaming sessions. Razer claims this mode utilizes a 60ms Bluetooth connection to minimize delay, which is crucial for fast-paced gaming where audio cues are essential. In testing, users reported that activating Game Mode did improve audio response slightly, but some still experienced a noticeable lag in sound compared to dedicated gaming headsets. While it works reasonably well for casual gaming, serious gamers may find it falls short of their expectations.
Audio Quality and Performance
When it comes to audio performance, the Anzu offers decent quality for casual use. The open-ear speaker design allows for a more natural listening experience, enabling users to remain aware of their surroundings. However, the sound quality has been described as lacking depth and bass, resulting in a hollow audio experience that may not satisfy audiophiles. At higher volumes, the sound leakage becomes apparent, making it difficult to use in quiet environments without disturbing others.
Razer provides three equalizer presets within the app—default, Enhanced Clarity, and Treble Boost—but users have noted that these settings do not significantly enhance the bass response. The presets are better suited for voice calls and podcasts, where clarity is more important than low-end performance. Unfortunately, the absence of a customizable EQ option limits users’ ability to tailor the audio experience to their preferences.
One notable feature is the inclusion of blue light filtering lenses, which aim to reduce eye strain from prolonged screen exposure. While some users appreciate this addition, others found the benefit minimal, and comfort remained an issue during extended wear.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is one of the Anzu’s strengths, with Razer claiming up to five hours of usage on a single charge, significantly surpassing the Echo Frames’ estimated two-hour battery life. In practice, users reported varied results, with some experiencing rapid battery drain during continuous use, particularly when streaming media. After about an hour of active use, the battery often dropped to around 10%, leading to an automatic shutdown.
Charging the Anzu requires both arms to be connected simultaneously to a specialized cable, which some users found cumbersome and unnecessarily complicated. This design choice raises questions about its effectiveness, as it did not appear to significantly speed up the charging process compared to traditional single-port charging solutions.
Conclusion
The Razer Anzu smart glasses present a compelling option for users looking for stylish audio eyewear that doesn’t break the bank. With features like blue-light filtering and Game Mode, they cater to a specific audience that appreciates both functionality and style. However, the inconsistent gesture controls, mediocre audio quality, and comfort issues may deter some potential buyers.
Compared to the Bose Frames and Amazon Echo Frames, the Anzu offers a more affordable alternative, but it may not fully satisfy users seeking high-quality audio performance or seamless user interaction. Overall, the Anzu is a solid entry into the smart glasses market, with potential for improvement that could elevate its status among competitors. Razer has laid a foundation with the Anzu, and future iterations could address current shortcomings, making it a top choice for smart audio glasses.
